Hoover J. Wright, who coached track and field at Prairie View A&M University for more than 40 years, died Friday at his home in Cypress, Texas. He was 74.

Under his leadership, the Panther track and field program won two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor titles, one NAIA Outdoor title, five Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) crowns and the 1970 United States Track and Field Association national title.

Although he was best known for his achievements as a track coach, Wright also served as Prairie View’s Athletic Director and head football coach, leading the Panthers to their last winning record (6-5) in 1976.

Wright served with distinction on USA team staffs as an assistant coach for the 1975 Pan American Games, the 1971 U.S. vs. Soviet Union Meet, and the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. He also was the head coach for the U.S. Junior Team in a triangular meet with Cuba and Canada in 1987.

Wright’s coaching career began at Shorter College in North Little Rock, Ark., where he served as head football coach, men’s and women’s basketball coach and track coach. From there he went on to Paul Quinn College, serving as department head of Health and Physical Education, athletics director and head football coach.

Wright’s honors included being inducted in Prairie View’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and induction into the NAIA Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1976. He was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 1994.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, the former Eloise McCreary, four children and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the William J. Nicks Building on the Prairie View campus.

U.S. Best marks

Below are the best marks by U.S. track and field athletes for the week ending March 9, 2003: